Having #DragonCon Withdrawals: Review of Day 4 - Monday!

Monday, the last day of DragonCon, and the first day of the con without Zachary Levi (sniff!). If yesterday was empty, today was almost a ghost town, but I loved it. It made it so much easier to get some coffee in the morning at Starbucks and to go to the bathroom. It also meant the lines for the panels were almost non-existent.

First on the agenda was the panel with Cooper Andrews. It was supposed to include Zachary Levi, too, but I'm sure by Sunday night he was fed up and tired and just wanted to go home, so he ended up cancelling Monday. It's fine, it gave a chance for Cooper to get asked questions too! He was sweet and funny too. I couldn't get a picture at his panel because they were just not coming out right at all. The lighting was even worse and so I couldn't get a good picture of this panel.

After his panel was Dan Fogler's panel right after (about an hour after Cooper's ended) and that one was a little fuller. He was incredibly funny and silly, and also very kind to all his fans. His panel was very entertaining, especially for a Monday morning after a long and tiring weekend. It really was so much fun. The lighting here was SO much better, so I was able to get some pretty good pics:

After this, the day was very open. I went back to the autograph area, but it was mostly empty for most of the celebs had left already. Probably were tired or had to go to work. I spent another day meeting some very awesome people and seeing some cool cosplays too!! Oh and I finally got a picture with the girl I told you has a super awesome and geeky shop that I fangirl over.

Here are the pics:

 These are definitely not the droids he was looking for!

 Agent Romanov deserved better

 I loved this! Fat Thor, yes, still worthy, but also he kept commenting throughout the entire time

Kept telling me my hair reminded him of Scarlet's hair (he had the accent too!)

 This very sweet gentleman requested to take a picture with me because (even though you can't really see it here) my sweater says "NERD" across it and he had a "Nerd Herd" hat on. We both fangirled over Zachary Levi and he told me that Zac loved his hat and what a "wonderful young man he is".

 Queens!

Here she is. Her name is Jordan and her shop is Jordanené and you should DEFINITELY check out her awesome shop for the softest, coolest, geekiest shirts ever!

And that's a wrap on DragonCon for 2019! I really hope I get to come back for it next year and have as much or more fun then as I did this year. It'll be a little hard to top, but I challenge it to make it so!

I want to close this by saying a few thank yous: Thank you very much to DragonCon and their whole team for approving me as press and allowing me to cover for them, to allowing me to check this off my bucket list and have an amazing experience at their con, which ran flawless despite the mass of people and all the different hotels it's spread out into. Thank you especially to Dan Carroll (Dragon Con Director - Media Engagement) for all the attentions, for taking time to chat with me and making me laugh, for answering all my questions, for making sure I was safe and ok with my flights being cancelled due to the hurricane, and for even offering to help in all you could -there are few humans left like you on this earth! THANK YOU! Also big thanks and cheers to all the lovely people I met at the con, that saw me walking around alone and wanted to keep me company and to the ones I now have become friends through social media (and through our love of Zachary Levi, you know who you are ;) ). Thank you to my amazing, incredibly, fantastic Airbnb host for going above and beyond her duties and for also ending up becoming another friend to me. Thank you to my cousin for watching my babies (my dogs) while I was in Atlanta for all those days. Thank you very much also to Jordan (mentioned above) for being so sweet and also keeping me company a good portion of Sunday afternoon. 

Can't wait for the next con already!

Having #DragonCon Withdrawals: Review of Day 1 - Friday!

Hey guys! It's been about 3 weeks since DragonCon ended and I've been having some serious withdrawals the whole time. Like, I have been sad and thinking about my time there, so I think a way to not be sad is to relive it a little bit and share it with you guys here.

So DragonCon is really 5 days, this year it started Thursday, August 29th and it ran through Monday, September 2nd (Labor Day). It's 5 days of continuous, non-stop on going fun! I am talking that from the moment the con starts on Thursdays, it basically doesn't close until Monday afternoon. Yes, there are no more panels and the vendors close shop, but the hotel lobbies have parties going on non-stop all night until the sun comes back up. I wasn't able to attend Thursday, but I was there all the rest of the days.

One of my favorite parts of going to the con alone (yes, I went completely alone, no company) was that I was able to talk to a bunch of people and make new friends -and I love making new friends! Also, I was free to do whatever I wanted, when I wanted it, and how I wanted it. 

Lastly, it is no secret I am a big fangirl, so I am going to confess right here and right now that I had 3 very big motives to attend DragonCon (aside from it being on bucket list): #1 Zachary Levi (because I will never tire of him AND he had panels EVERY day except Monday), #2 Freema Agyeman, and #3 Catherine Tate. Now that you know this, you will understand my review for each day of the con:

Day 1: Friday, August 30th. 

I missed the David Tennant penal because I woke up a little too late (my flight the night before came in late and I ended up going to bed at like 2am) and with DT if you aren't there at least 3 hours before, you are not getting in. I even heard that there were people in line for his panel at 7:30AM, when the con wasn't opening until 9AM, AND his panel didn't start until 11:30AM! So there is no way I was ever getting in! Anyway, I get in and got my badge and went straight to the Zachary Levi panel (it was supposed to be a Shazam panel with him, Asher Angel, and Cooper Andrews but Asher ended up cancelling the con and Cooper had to cancel Friday's appearance due to a last minute shooting scheduling conflict he had). His panel started at 4PM, due to the really bad Atlanta traffic I had no idea they had so my Lyft took a long time to take me there, and all that jazz, when I got in line for him at 2PM or so, I was "late" and there was already a big line. 

I make it to Zachary Levi's (first out of 3) panel and I was so, so excited to see him again! He was, of course, as charming and amazing and loving and funny as always. Only bad thing is that he hated that he had a table in front because he doesn't like anything on the stage when he is on, no moderators, nothing. As you can see in the pictures below, he HAS to get up lol.

Please forgive the terrible lighting in the panel pictures, but at the very last minute I was not able to get a pro camera with so much going on in Miami with the hurricane that was supposed to come (and never came) plus work plus getting ready for the trip, so I had rely on my iPhone camera. But, honestly, it's the pictures from the panels that look terrible because of the lighting combined with the background that made them so terrible. I tried tweaking them as best I could, so here goes nothing:

Why is he so cute?

He got tired of sitting down (he's just too hyper) and was trying to be silly

After his panel, I went walking around and trying to figure this con out, since it's just SO different from all the other cons I've been to given that it's spread out into 5 different hotels and panels are held between 2-3 of them, and the vendors are in another one, and the autographs and photo-ops are in the same building as some of the panels. So I wanted to see where everything was and I ended up finding the autograph booth area. This is where saw that Dan Fogler was there, hanging out and I absolutely love him in the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them franchise (Potterhead over here!) and I had missed him already in Orlando MegaCon back in May (because I was at Zachary's panel...sorry not sorry), so I approached him. He had no line, which made it faster for me to just walk up to him and have a bit of a conversation with him. I told him I wanted a selfie (paid by dues for such a service) and then he noticed my backpack, which is Hufflepuff themed. He said he liked it and I asked him if he was a fellow Hufflepuff. He says, "Hell yeah!" and proceeds to look at all the patches and pins on my backpack and commenting on how cool he thinks it is. It made me very happy to have a fellow Hufflepuff compliment my backpack. Then we finally got our amazing pic together.

His lovely assistant was kind enough to document the whole interaction, which resulted in a total of 7 pictures, but I won't bore you with so many. Just two of them:

He seriously was just so nice and I think we became BFFs

After this, there wasn't much to do and I also didn't have much time before my photo-op with Zac that was coming up, so I made my way to that area and waited in the very long line to get my photo-op with Zac. Originally, I had thought about cosplaying as Chuck for this pic with him, but after watching (and becoming obsessed with) the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and always wanting an excuse to wear anything 50s inspired, I went that route. I have a black dress that is 50s style, I already had the long black silk gloves, and I only needed to get the pearls, which I did from Amazon. So, when I approached Zac (3rd time meeting him, still melt into a puddle and my heart pounds loudly in my chest as I did so), we fist bump -which is how he always greets people -and ask him if we could do a 50s pose. He looks down at me (he's 6'4" people! And I'm 5'2", only this time I wore heels, but barely makes a difference with him) and asks, "What's a 50s pose?" So I explain to him that they used to mostly have the woman loop their hand around the man's arm and he said "of course!" and I say to him (in a very non-50s way): "Dude, I'm the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" and he smiles widely and says to me, "Nice, nice, I love it" and fist bumps me. We then pose for the picture and the result was beyond my wildest dreams guys! Because I was happy he agreed to the pose, but I didn't know he was going to go all out with the pose and include that famous Flynn Ryder smolder that does melt all our little fangirl hearts:

I was so in love with that picture that when I picked it up from the printing area, I wanted to scream from joy!

After this, there were no more panels or events that I attended (there were plenty of parties, but I don't party and I was tired), so that was the end of my day 1 of DragonCon.

But, before I end today's recap, let me show you the few very cool cosplays I got the opportunity to photograph that day (between walking around and the lines and the amount of people present, it was hard to get many cosplay pictures):

I know there wasn't much for a day in a con, but I hope you have enjoyed the Zachary Levi spamming ;)

It's Officially #DragonCon Week!

DragonCon kicks off this upcoming weekend from Thursday August 29th all the way till Monday September 2nd (which is also Labor Day). 4.5 days jammed packed with lots of adventures, celebrities, events, cosplay, and so much more!

If you have been following my posts about all the cons I go to and cover, you'll know that I basically live to go to cons. They are my happy place, really. I even have a list of cons I'd like to check off of my bucket list some day, and DragonCon has definitely been one of them for a very long time. So, the fact that I get to go this year finally makes me so very, very excited.

I've been reading up on all the events that will be happening this weekend, on the guests that are going and I just really cannot be more excited for this con. Let me tell you all that will be going down this super long-jammed-packed con weekend:

There's going to be a few Balls:

- The Dark Crystal Ball is a 21 year old and over event only in which you get to showcase your most spectacular fantasy cosplay/ballgown honoring Jim Henson's "The Dark Crystal: World of Myth and Magic". There will be some super special celebrity guests, so make sure if you want to go, to purchase your tickets here.
- Yule Ball. Yep, you read that right, just like in Harry Potter, and it will be taking place no other day than Sept. 1st of course. This is also an adults only event, but only after 10PM. Also, no ticket purchase is necessary. If you want more info on the event, go to its Facebook Page.

THERE'S A PARADE!
Every year, according to the website, DragonCon shuts down a few streets in Downtown Atlanta and has the most amazing geeky parade probably in the country. It sounds like a ton of fun and I plan to see at least part of it!

Burlesque Show
On Sept. 1st at midnight, there will be a geeky burlesque show that is appropriately titled "A Glamour Geek Revue". It sounds like it will be a ton of fun and all you need to get in to see it is your badge, how cool is that?!

DragonCon Night at the Aquarium
DragonCon is having a very cool event on Saturday night at the famous Georgia Aquarium in which you'll get to experience the galleries and exhibits in a very intimate and private way. All cosplays are welcome! There will be food and a cash bar as well. Event is likely to sell out, so go get them tickets now!

Of course, like in most cons, they will be having costume/cosplay contests throughout the weekend, there will be an artist alley (where I want to spend like 3 paychecks worth of money!), and the autograph/photo op sections.

Now, on to my favorite part: tell you guys the people I am looking forward to seeing.

This con is a VERY hard one for me to narrow down because they have just *SO* many amazing guests from all fandoms and worlds alike. But, I will try my hardest to keep the list short...so I am going to select my top 5.

Dan Fogler: From "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" franchise. As a big Potterhead, I am looking forward to seeing him...especially since I missed him at MegaCon Orlando in May due to being in line to see Zachary Levi.

Karl Urban from so many things that I love: Thor Ragnarok, The Lord of the Rings, and most recently The Boys. This guy is awesome, he is funny, and he's brilliant! Can't wait to see him!

Freema Ageyman, who played the most underrated but (to me), the most bad ass, most fierce, smart, best companion to the Doctor. She took no crap and is the embodiment of a feminist! I absolutely loved Martha and never thought I'd get to meet her, so this is one celebrity I am VERY much looking forward to meet and get a pic with!

Catherine Tate. Wow I love this woman: she is funny, quirky, smart, sweet, and she played the sassiest companion to the Doctor also. I missed her when she went to MegaCon Orlando last year, so when I saw her name on the list I was very, very excited! 

Now, those are my top 5 celebrities I am looking forward to meeting, but there are 2 more that I've met before, but that I am never ever not excited to meet again:

David Tennant: this will actually be my 3rd time meeting him (last time I saw him was in May of this year and we got to high five and it was epic!) and I feel like life is smiling at me for allowing me to meet David one more time because he is pure joy, charm, and sweetness. 

And last, but so very NOT least:

My boo thang: Zachary Levi. This will be my second time seeing him (and I already bought my photo op with him because, have you seen him?), but I wouldn't mind seeing him 1000 times more. He's going to be there all 4 days and he's having a panel each day (some alone, some with fellow Shazam cast members Asher Angel And Cooper Andrews), and my little fangirl heart couldn't be happier about this. It's like DragonCon should be renamed LeviCon this year!

Make sure to purchase your tickets to the con here and see you guys at the con!

We're Going to #MegaConOrlando!

Another year, another MegaCon! And we are going once more! I honestly live to go to cons for they bring me so much joy! Chris Hardwick once said, "If the world was more like comic con, it would be a much better place" -and I couldn't agree more! I am very excited to be going back to one of my favorite cons and getting to see some what I know will be great panels, incredible cosplays, and all the art in the artist alley.

This year MegaCon Orlando does not disappoint! They are going ALL out with the celebrities they are bringing in. If you are a geek/nerd (now considered "fan of pop culture") and fangirl/boy, then get ready to check out this lineup because it is going to give you a nerdgasm, guaranteed!

Let's start with the fact that they're bringing one of the biggest stars of 2019:

Zacahary Levi, aka Shazam, himself! Of course I already bought my photo op ticket with him and I am oh-so-excited to get to see him again in person and this time get a picture with him. I know I will walk out of there with an engagement ring and announcing our wedding. I kid! But, seriously speaking, I really am excited to go to his panel and take a picture with him. I've been a Zach Levi fan for many years now because of his charity work and because of how down to earth and cool he is.

Next up is David Tennant! Who doesn't love DT? He's the most beloved Doctor, the best Detective Inspector, a total baddie in both the Harry Potter and Marvel (Jessica Jones) worlds, and now he's also the voice of Scrooge McDuck! Let's not forget he is one of the sweetest, nicest, kindest, most humblest celebs you'll ever meet. I had the absolute honor to meet him and take a pic with him last year (I went all the way from Miami to Denver just to meet him!), so I will not be taking another one with him, but I absolutely look forward to another panel with him. Maybe, just maybe I'll do another pic with him ;)

Billie Piper is a very beloved actress because she portrayed probably the most beloved companion in all of Doctor Who history: Rose Tyler. It's been many years since she's played Rose, she's been in other shows and movies, and she is still being asked questions about her time as the Doctor's companion. I've also seen her before and she really is as charming and sweet as you'd imagine. Can't wait to see her again!

I have lost count how many times I've seen John Barrowman in a con: I've been to his panels, have more than one photo op with him, and once I even ran into him walking around the con looking around in the artist alley. Yet, I can never tire of seeing him because he is an absolute blast! His panels are rated PG-13 and he usually comes out in heels and sings and dances and sparkles. I can't wait to see what he has in store for us this time!

If you know me, you know Harry Potter is my #1 fandom, so anything that is related to this fandom, I love. I was very excited when they announced that Dan Fogler was also coming to MegaCon Orlando because I can't wait to hear what he has to say about his experience in working in the franchise and of being the only muggle (or "non-maj") of the story.

Tyler Hoechlin is a super hottie whom I have had the pleasure of meeting before while doing an interview for Once Upon a Twilight. He was promoting a movie he was in called "Everybody Wants Some!!" and I can assure you he was an absolute delight.

(You can see him there on the far right of the pic)

A complete gentleman, funny, sweet, smart, and just even more gorgeous in person. I doubt he remembers me (this was in 2016!), but I sure look forward to seeing him again ;)

I've been wanting to meet this giant, delicious man for a while now. I was very sad to see Luke Cage being canceled (Netflix, you failed!) because I really liked it and where it was going. I especially like Mike Colter, who portrays the title character and who is so yummy! This guy I do want to get a pic with because I've been wanting one since he first started going to cons! I really can't wait for him to carry me -or something like that!

Lastly, but certainly NOT least...the most amazing part for us old school nerds:

The cast of Back to the Future will be there!!! They are having a very special event in which you can meet the cast and spend an evening with them. There's also special photo ops with them. I'm a little bummed out there will not be a panel with them, but it's more than understandable and I am just happy they will be around.

There you have it. The people I am most excited to see at this year's MegaCon! The fangirl in me is squeeing like crazy and clapping from excitement. I really cannot wait to be back in MegaCon!

Have you gotten your tickets yet? You are still on time, it is a little less than 2 weeks away and you have a chance of getting tickets to this fantastic event. Hope to see you there!!